Rutgers-Army to play in new Meadowlands stadium

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—The first major college football game at the new Meadowlands Stadium is going to feature Rutgers and Army.

The schools and the New Meadowlands Stadium Corporation announced Thursday that the two New York metropolitan area teams will play on Oct. 16.

It will be the 37th meeting between the teams and the 10th at the Meadowlands, with the first nine being played at Giants Stadium.

There is a chance that the first college game at the new home for the Jets and Giants will be between Football Championship Subdivision opponents.

Giants Stadium has been the site for the New York Urban League Classic for more than three decades. There is a chance that another classic will be played at the new stadium before the Rutgers-Army game. Talks are in progress but nothing has been completed.

Rutgers has played more games at the Meadowlands than any other college team. It is 20-28 all-time at Giants Stadium, where it played its 1993 home schedule when Rutgers Stadium was being renovated.

“The Meadowlands and Rutgers have enjoyed a long history, and we are pleased to continue with the tradition,” said Mark Lamping, the chief executive of the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Rutgers defeated Columbia 47-0 on Oct. 23, 1976 in the first collegiate football game played at Giants Stadium. The Scarlet Knights last played at the Meadowlands on Oct. 12, 1996, vs. Army.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Rutgers and we are thankful to our friends at the New Meadowlands Stadium Corporation, along with the Jets and Giants for their partnership,” Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti said. “We have witnessed first-hand the construction of the New Meadowlands Stadium and we are looking forward to competing during the inaugural season at the state-of-the-art facility.”

The new stadium will seat 82,500 fans, including 9,500 club seats and 222 luxury suites. It will be the NFL’s third-largest stadium.

Army has played at the Meadowlands 17 times, but not since 2002.

“This is a great opportunity for West Point and the Army football program,” Army athletic director Kevin Anderson said.

This will be Army’s second major stadium opener. This summer, officials from the New York Yankees, Army and Notre Dame announced that the Black Knights and Fighting Irish will participate in the first college football game to be played in the new Yankee Stadium on Nov. 20.